Scale



I BEST AVNLABLE COP\ Sept. 28 1926.

I 1,601,026 LE ROY LACKEY SCALE I Filed Nov/ 30, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i l (J l\ I BEST AVAILABLE (30px Sept. 28, 1926.. LE ROY LACKEY SCALE Filed Ndv. so, 192% @Sheets-Sheet 2 gmiuw roz BEST AVAILABLE COP\ Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES LGfiLQZG PATENT OFFICE.

LE ROY LACKEY, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ARNOLD WOOD AND J. M. GASTON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SCALE.

Application filed November 30, 1925.

This invention is an improvement in weighing scales ofthe pivotalbeam type, and the primary object of the invention is to 'providein relatively simple and practical form an attachment for scales of this kind, whereby such scale is converted into what may be termed a semi-automatic scale. Stated more fully, the chief object is to provide for a scale of the type described, the beam whereof has been removed; a special beam the same having an attached worm shaft extended parallel therewith and a combined poise and weight registering element slidingly mounted on the said beam and shaft, the said poise having an automatic weight registering mechanism incorporated therein which is adapted to be actuated by the said worm shaft as the poise is moved along the shaft in the act of balancing the load'on the scales.

Another object is to provide a weight registering element for fixed location at the butt of the said-scale beam-and worm shaft with a poise slidably mounted upon the oscillating endof thebeam and shaft, the said poise having a lug engaging the said worm shaft for rotating the same and actuating the said weight registering element as the poise 1s moved along the shaft;

In the drawing-- Figure 1 is a. side elevation of a beam scale equipped with this improvement, the weight registering element being here represented as slidable;-

Figure 2-is a side view of the attachments removed from the scale;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section through the poise, beamand worm shaft.

' This view is enlarged relative to Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the assembly shown in Figure 3;

-Figure 5 is a detail of one of the tape reels, a portion of one side being broken out to show the arrangement of the coil spring mounted within;

Figure'G is a side elevation of a modified arrangement of the attachments, wherein the weightregistering'element' is represented as fixed, the same being actuated by a sliding poise on. the beam and shaft.

This invention comprises certain attachments designed to be mounted in connection with. an ordinary scale of: the pivotal. beam type, wherebysuch scale-is rendered semiautomatic-inactiopf Beferring to the Serial No. 72,225.

embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to l inclusive, these attachments include a special weighing beam 2 which is mounted on the scale in lieu of the regular beam. Brackets 3 depend from the ends of the beam 2, and a worm shaft & is rigidly mounted between these brackets in parallelism with the beam 2. An automatic weight registering poise 5 is slidably mounted upon the said beam and shaft. The poise 5 comprises a casing 6 having beam slots 7 and shaft holes 8 formed in alignment through its sides whereby the poise is slidingly mounted in place as stated. lVithin the ca:- ing 6, are journaled in alignment two hollow tape reels 9 and 10, the same being journaled upon the fixed spindles 11. Long, coil springs 12 are then mounted inside the reels, the ends of the springs being secured to the spindles 11 and the rims 13 of the reels. The

torsions of the springs 12 are reversed as to each other. A pow-er gear 141 is slidingly mounted upon the shaft 4 within the casing 6, and a small follower lug 17 extends from the axial bore of the gear into the worm groove 18 of the shaft 1. A tape supporting drum 15 is ournaled within the casing 6 in alignment with the reels 9 and 10, the said drum having a pinion 16 rigidly secured at one side and in mesh with the power gear 14:. The periphery of the tape drum '15 is provided with two lateral rows of spur, tape-engaging teeth 19, there being a row at each side of the said periphery. A graduated and marked weight-indicating tape 20 is provided, the same being of sutlicient length andflexibility to meet the purpose for which it is intended. This tape is preferably of flexible steel and along each edge thereof is pierced a line of holes 21. for engaging the teeth 19 of the drum 15. The holes 21 and teeth 19 are of course all equispaced to ensure the smooth operation of the mechanism. The ends of the tape 20 are secured to the rims 13 of the reels 9 and 10, and the tape is then passed over the tape drum 15 with the teeth 19 in engagement with the holes 21.- The tape is additionally supported and guided in its travel by a number of rollers 22. A frontal opening or window 23 is provided at the front of the casing (hopposite the tape, so that the tape markings may be easily read as they pass across the pointer 24. The tape 20 may be'graduated and-markedin any desired manner and asr-finely-as ma-y be necessary for the purposes of the scale. There should be such co-relation between the lengths of the tape 20, scale beam 2 and the springs 12,- that the trarel of the poise 5 from one end of the beam-to the other will be coincident with the travel of the tape from one reel to the other, the said springs 12 having capacity to Wind up the tape fully on either reel as it is released from the other reel. The graduations indicating the travel of the tape wonldal'so of coursebe accurately coordinated and-corelated with the standard units of freight and fractions thereof. This would be accomplished, for instance, by first balancing' the scale beam irith the poise, and marking Zero on the tape opposite-the pointer an ounce eight would then be placed in the scale pan, and the beam again balanced. by moi-'ing the poise as before. a coi'res}i ending 'mark being made upon the tape. Soon 'for the full length of the tape would proper inarkings be made on the tape for fractions of'ounce's, pounds, etc. as might-bejdesire'tl;

A modified arrangement as shown in Figure 6, wherein the weight registering ele ment is permanently fixed at the butt of the beam 2 the Worm shaft 31 being rotat ably journaledthrough the brackets 3 (instead of being rigidly mounted as in the other sti-uetur ),"and the power gear 14; being permane'ritly fastened at the end of the worm shaft 31; A separate poise 32 is the-n slidihgly mounted upon the beam 2 and shaft- 31, there being afollower lug extended from the poise into; the worm groove 34, analogous in action to the lug 17 of the first described structure.

This scale mechanism is simple, durable, positive, accurate and practicaland may be mounted upon any standard form of beam scale in mann'er'de'scribed. This improvement renders a scale semi-automatic, and does away with the need of alarge number of separate weights.

lVl'iile the embodiment of the invention here shown contemplates for the sakeof convenience the removal of the regular scale beam and the substitution of special beam with the worm shaft and poise attachments, thereis no reason, if preferred, why the said Worm shaft and poise might not be mounted :directl tpon the regular scale beam. I

lVhile I hare herein 'described-acertain specific-manner and-method of constructing and assembling the elements of my invention, it is understood that I may var -rromthe same i-mminor details, not- 'lepartingfrom thespirit of myinvention,eso a'sbest to construct apractical device-for the purpose tended, as defined in the appended claims. 'l elaiinz i v Y "L '111 eenibi'nati'en with -.a. scale -Of th pivotal heam type, the-regular beam thereof being removed; an attachment of the kind the saidspecialheam havng a Worm shaft depending therethrough; and an automatic -.weight registering poise slidingly mounted upon the beam and shaft; and a weight registe'rin'g mechanism carried by said poise, the said mechanism being connected with and operated by the said worm shaft.

2-. In combination with a scale of the pivotal beam type, the regular beam thereof being removed; aii automatic Weight registering attachment, comprising a special beam mounted in lace of the regular beam, the said special be'am having a worm shaft dependin thereth'rough; a oise slidi'n ly mounted upon the b'eam and shafti an a weight registeriiig inbchanism carried by the poise, the said mechanism including two tape reels, graduated'tape mounted -to travel the reels and means associated with the said wow: shaft iar ca sin the 5211' d tape to trayel'froih one reel to the other as the said poise trai e'rs'e'sithe shaft,-

8. In combination with a scale having a Weighing beam, an automatic Weight registering attachment, comprising aworm shaft depending from the 'said beam in parallel relation theretoi arid a weight registering poise 'slitlingly mounted o'n jthe team and shaft; the said poise including'a casing having a froiital opening for reading weights and aligned lateriil openings for engaging the said beam and shaft-,spring a'ctnated tapered-s in the casing, =1 tape graduated fbr weights motinte'd on the reels, and means operated by the said worm shaft for causing the said tape to trayelf'ro'm one reel to the other under the sliding movement of the poise al'oiig the shaft 4.1a combination i'vith a pivotal beam scale, automatic weight registering attachmerits therefoix-comprising a Worm shaft rigidly supported by the beam; and a freight registering poise slidingly mounted on the beam ands'haft the said poise comprising a casing haying sight, beam and shaft apertures,

t'i o springfactuatetltape reels'journal'ed in the casing with the torsion's of the springs of the reels in reversed relation, 51 power 'Wheel loosely mounted ripen the worm shaft iiis'ide thec'asi-n-g, the said it heelhaiiing a follower lug slidingly engaging the worth groove of the shaft, a 'raduatd tape mofinted over the reels, an' means connecting the said power wheel {with the said tape-fer causing a e: latter to travel the-said reels under the rotary action impartedto the power jifljl l by the longitudinal travel (ii-the poise upon the-"shaft. 1

5. In "combination with a--pivotal beam scale, .an automatic vKinigg; lft registering adeohamsih therefor, comprising a 'rwoim shaft rigidly supported by the beam in parallel relation thereto; a casing slidingly mounted on the beam and shaft, the same having a window therein; a power gear loosely mounted upon the worm shaft inside the casing, the said gear having a follower lug slidingly engaging the worm groove of the shaft; a tape supporting drum and attached pinion journaled in the casing with the said pinion in mesh with the said power gear, the said drum having lateral, spur, tape engaging teeth upon its periphery; two spring controlled tape reels journaled in the casing; and a graduated weight indicating tape mounted over the said reels and tape drum, the said tape being perforated along its edges with holes adapted to engage the teeth of the said tape drum.

6. In a pivotal beam scale, employing a combined poise and weight indicating mechanism; a driving element for the said mechanism, comprising a worm shaft supported by the scale beam and operatively connected with the mechanism.

7. In a pivotal beam scale employing a sliding poise upon the beam; an automatic weight indicating mechanism, comprising 1 two spring actuated tape reels; a graduated tape on the reels; and means operseer AVAiLABLE com 3 atively connected with the sliding poise for causing the tape to travel the reels as the poise is moved.

8. In a pivotal beam scale employing a sliding poise upon the beam; an automatic weight indicating mechanism, comprising two spring actuated tape reels mounted up on and constituting part of the poise; a graduated tape on the reels; and means for causing the tape to travel the reels as the poise is moved.

9. In a pivotal beam scale employing a sliding poise upon the beam; an automatic weight indicating mechanism mounted upon the poise, comp ising two spring actuated tape reels; weight indicating tape on the reels: and means for causing the tape to travel the reels as the poise is moved.

10. In a pivotal beam scale, a combined poise and weight indicating mechanism slidingly mounted upon the beam, the same comprising a support; two spring actuated tape reels on the support; a weight indicating tape on the reels; and means for causing the tape to travel the reels as the said de vice is moved along the beam.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LE ROY LACKEY. 

